United Keetoowah Band Honors Tribal Veterans
The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma held a Veterans' luncheon for all Keetoowah Cherokee men and women Veterans' at the UKB Wellness Center. Every Keetoowah Cherokee Veteran attending were honored with a luncheon and a small token of appreciation from the UKB tribe. The ceremony began with the posting of the colors by the United Keetoowah Band Lighthorse Color Guard. United Keetoowah Band Chief George Wickliffe, along with Assistant Chief Charles Locust welcomed the veterans. Entertainment was provided by Irene Fixin and Rosie Ross as they sang three Keetoowah Cherokee songs in their native tongue.
Many of the attending veterans visited and reminiscence about their tour of duty. As the veterans greeted each other and renewed old friendships, one could hear those sharing stories of their missions as soldiers during their tour. One veteran was heard saying, "I hated when I was called to take the point during recognizance missions," while another shared his distaste of c-rations, but this day there were no c-rations as the veterans were served a special meal of turkey and dressing with cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.
"If you're Native American, you're going to fight harder. That's the kind of track record the Keetoowah Cherokee veterans have," said UKB Chief Wickliffe. "You fought harder because this is your country, and people should never forget how hard our Native Americans fight in wars. What we must do is support our soldiers that defend our country. We've had good soldiers; we've had brave soldiers because of who they are. They are Native Americans and we appreciate you, we appreciate all of you. We appreciate all the soldiers regardless of where they come from. I want to say to the Keetoowah Veterans that the Keetoowah Cherokee people appreciate you, and we honor you. I say thank you."
After the luncheon, each Keetoowah Cherokee Veteran was individually recognized by their names, their branch of service and the dates of their duty and as a small token of appreciation, each Keetoowah Cherokee was presented with a red hooded jacked embroidered with the Keetoowah Seal and the words Keetoowah Cherokee Veteran. Non-Keetoowah Veterans attending were also honored and given a gift of appreciation.
"The Chief is right, whenever we fight, the Native Americans are the ones who fight the hardest, they fight because this is their country, this is their home. This is where we started from and our ancestors are buried here, this is why we protect it. As veterans, you have done a great job; we appreciate it and honor you. It's an honor just to talk to you, I feel I don't have the prestige that you have and the honor that you deserve. I don't know if I can ever bestow that honor on you, because I think as veterans, you are great people for serving your country," stated UKB Assistant Chief Charles Locust.
After the ceremony, veterans, along with family members, gathered outside the Wellness Center to participate in an emotional ceremony as the American Legion Post 15 from Muskogee, Oklahoma, fired a three Volley Salute and played Taps for fallen comrades to end the ceremony.
